Date: Thu, 29 Jul 99 16:04:06 -0400 From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] DC Needle Exchange Ban Shows "Appalling Lack of Compassion" ************************************************ NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: David Elliot, Communications Director delliot@ngltf.org TEL 202/332-6483 x3303, PAGER 800/757-6476 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ************************************************ NEEDLE EXCHANGE FUNDING BAN SHOWS 'APPALLING LACK OF COMPASSION,' SAYS NGLTF But in a victory, House defeats proposed ban on same-sex adoption in District JULY 29, 1999-Today's vote by the House of Representatives to deny federal funding to any District of Columbia organization that offers a needle exchange program is scientifically unsound and will lead to a further loss of life, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said Thursday. Current law bans the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, but allows individual states to fund them with state, local and private funds. More than 30 states have chosen to implement needle exchange programs. The House today approved an amendment to the D.C. appropriations bill that singles out D.C. by denying it the power to enact public health policies that all the states have the right to enact. The amendment was sponsored by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-KS. "D.C. has the highest rate of new HIV infections in the country," said NGLTF Executive Director Kerry Lobel. "AIDS is the third leading cause of death in D.C. and the leading cause of death for people 30 to 44 years of age. Scientific studies have concluded that needle exchange programs reduce HIV infection and do not increase drug use. Therefore, the Tiahrt amendment actually will lead to increased fatalities in the District. Today's vote by the conservative House majority reflects an appalling lack of compassion." Intravenous drug use is the second highest mode of HIV transmission in D.C. Deaths attributed to AIDS in D.C. are more than seven times the national average. Another amendment that would have banned same-sex couples and unmarried heterosexual couples in the District of Columbia from adopting children failed by two votes. That amendment was sponsored by Rep. Steve Largent, R-OK. "To defeat a same-sex adoption ban on the floor of the House is a victory for our community," Lobel said. "With an estimated 3,100 children in D.C. needing loving parents, a majority of Congress recognized that it is public health agencies and not politicians who should decide what is in the best interest of a child." _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.